Abstract: A digital computer network includes a network-infrastructure cache that provides proxy services to a plurality of client workstations concurrently requesting access to data stored on a server. A network interconnecting the workstations and the server carries requests for data to the server, and responses thereto back to requesting client workstations. The network-infrastructure cache receives and responds to requests from the client workstations for access to data for which the network-infrastructure cache provides proxy services. A cache in the network-infrastructure cache stores data for inclusion in responses. If the cache lacks data needed for a response, then the network-infrastructure cache forwards a request for the missing data onto the server, and receives data responsive thereto. In one embodiment the network-infrastructure cache converts requests received from clients in a first protocol into requests in a second protocol for transmission to the server, and conversely.

Abstract: A high-voltage capacitive electrostatic device is immersed in the water line feeding equipment in dental offices to remove existing biofilms and to prevent their recurrence. The device is operated continuously in a totally capacitive mode at very high voltages, most preferably greater than 30,000 volts DC. The biofilm present in the system is altered by the electrostatic field so generated and the change is found to cause the separation of existing biofilm from the surface to which it adheres in the water lines and to prevent the formation of new biofilm bacterial colonies, thereby materially improving the quality of the water delivered at the various use points of the dental unit.

Abstract: A high-voltage capacitive electrostatic device is used to improve the performance of membrane-separation processes, particularly reverse-osmosis units, wherein species of a given ionic polarity are separated from water. The device is immersed in the water flowing across the membranes and is operated continuously at very high voltages, preferably greater than 30,000 volts DC. The charge on the wetted surface of the suspended particles is altered by the electrostatic field so generated and is found to reduce biofilm formation, thereby materially enhancing the performance of the membrane-separation system. The application of high-voltage electrostatic fields is also found to reduce corrosion of metallic surfaces in the system.

Abstract: A network of digital computers includes Network Distributed Cache (“NDC”) sites. Each NDC site includes an NDC that has an NDC buffer. One of the NDC sites receives a request to access data in a stored dataset. The receiving NDC checks its NDC buffer for a projected image of requested data. If the NDC buffer lacks the requested data, and if the NDC site is not the NDC server terminator site for the requested data, the NDC site transmits the request to an NDC site that is closer to the NDC server terminator site. When a requesting NDC site and the request receiving NDC site having a projected image of the requested data both have this NDC buffers located in a shared memory, the NDC site having the data transmits to the requesting NDC a pointer to a location in its NDC buffer for the data.

Abstract: Network Distributed Caches (“NDCs”) (50) permit accessing a named dataset stored at an NDC server terminator site (22) in response to a request submitted to an NDC client terminator site (24) by a client workstation (42). In accessing the dataset, the NDCs (50) form a NDC data conduit (62) that provides an active virtual circuit (“AVC”) from the NDC client site (24) through intermediate NDC sites (26B, 26A) to the NDC server site (22). Through the AVC provided by the conduit (62), the NDC sites (22, 26A and 26B) project an image of the requested portion of the named dataset into the NDC client site (24) where it may be either read or written by the workstation 42. One NDC (50) of a pair of NDC sites (26A and 26B) which share memory (314A-B) returns a pointer to an NDC buffer (129) in response to a request for data from the other NDC (50).

Abstract: Network Distributed Caches (“NDCs”) (50) permit accessing a named dataset stored at an NDC server terminator site (22) in response to a request submitted to an NDC client terminator site (24) by a client workstation (42). In accessing the dataset, the NDCs (50) form a NDC data conduit (62) that provides an active virtual circuit (“AVC”) from the NDC client site (24) through intermediate NDC sites (26B, 26A) to the NDC server site (22). Through the AVC provided by the conduit (62), the NDC sites (22, 26A and 26B) project an image of the requested portion of the named dataset into the NDC client site (24) where it may be either read or written by the workstation 42. One NDC (50) of a pair of NDC sites (26A and 26B) which share memory (314A-B) returns a pointer to an NDC buffer (129) in response to a request for data from the other NDC (50).

Abstract: A data storage device disposed in a transmission path between a destination node and a data source stores images of files in a memory. The destination node sends data requests to the source via the data transmission path. The storage device includes a data transfer detector that detects transfers of data from the source to the destination node along the data transmission path. A memory manager of the storage device stores only selected ones of the transferred data files in the memory. A data request detector to the storage device detects requests for data passing along the data transmission path. An interceptor of the storage device intercepts and services detected data requests when the requested data has been previously stored in the memory, and the stored requested data file meets predetermined criteria. In this way, the storage device may transfer requested data from the memory to the destination node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for caching data in a Network Distributed Cache ("NDC") (50) that is included in a network of digital computers (22, 24, 26A and 26B). The NDC (50) includes an NDC buffer (129) for storing at least a portion of an image of a dataset such as a file (156) retrieved from a server site (22) in response to a request from a client workstation (42) to access the dataset. The NDC (50) allocates channels (116) that store metadata extracted from the requests to access the dataset for which the channels (116) have been claimed, and from responses to such requests. The NDC (50) uses accumulated data stored in channels (116) to anticipate future requests to access datasets, and to forestall, as much as practicable, the client workstation (42) from experiencing any delay in accessing data by asynchronously pre-fetching data in advance of receiving a request from a client workstation (42).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for computing the local time and date of a mobile computer, when a user has traveled to a time zone different from his or her home time zone is disclosed. A system identification number is received through a cellular transceiver which is associated with an antenna. The system identification number is received by the mobile computer through a cellular modem. A database is provided within the mobile computer listing all of the system identification numbers throughout the North American Cellular Network. The database also provides the geographic location and time zone for each system identification number. Also listed in the database is information whether daylight savings time is observed in the geographic location associated with the system identification number. The computer, upon receiving a system identification number, searches the database for the same identification number.

Abstract: Network Distributed Caches ("NDCs") (50) permit accessing a named dataset stored at an NDC server terminator site (22) in response to a request submitted to an NDC client terminator site (24) by a client workstation (42). In accessing the dataset, the NDCs (50) form a NDC data conduit (62) that provides an active virtual circuit ("AVC") from the NDC client site (24) through intermediate NDC sites (26B, 26A) to the NDC server site (22). Through the AVC provided by the conduit (62), the NDC sites (22, 26A and 26B) project an image of the requested portion of the named dataset into the NDC client site (24) where it may be either read or written by the workstation 42. The NDCs (50) maintain absolute consistency between the source dataset and its projections at all NDC client terminator sites (24, 204B and 206) at which client workstations access the dataset. Channels (116) in each NDC (50) accumulate profiling data from the requests to access the dataset for which they have been claimed.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the efficiency of a solid-liquid separation process by exposure to an electrostatic-field generator utilizes a vitrified ceramic tube of unibody construction having a single open end adapted to receive a high-voltage power cable through an insulated cap. The interior surface of the ceramic tube is lined with a layer of conductive material electrically connected to the power cable, thereby providing a relatively-large conductive surface in intimate contact with the dielectric surface of the ceramic tube. The device is used in connection with conventional chemical additives for separating suspended solids from water to reduce chemical consumption and improve operating efficiency. The device is immersed in the water carrying suspended particles upstream of the treatment with chemical agents and is energized with a high DC voltage, thereby creating an electrostatic field across the dielectric of the tube's ceramic and across the body of water.

Abstract: An electrostatic-field generator that consists of a vitrified ceramic tube of unibody construction having a single open end adapted to receive a high-voltage power cable through an insulated cap. The interior surface of the ceramic tube is lined with a layer of conductive material electrically connected to the power cable, thereby providing a relatively-large conductive surface in intimate contact with the dielectric surface of the ceramic tube. In operation, the device is immersed in a body of water connected to ground and the power cable is energized with a high DC voltage, thereby creating an electrostatic field across the dielectric of the tube's ceramic and across the body of water. Because of the difference in the dielectric coefficients of the materials, the majority of the applied potential is measured across the water, thus providing the desired electrostatic effect on its particulate components.

Abstract: Apparatus for isolating a formation, isolating a damaged section of casing, and for pressure testing the apparatus when located in a cased well bore. The apparatus includes a first packer that is in sealing engagement with the casing for isolating the formation, second and third packers that are spaced to span the damage to the casing, a first valve for closing the passageway through the packers, and a second valve for applying pressure between the first and second packers to test the seals formed thereby. Also provided is an improved method for isolating a damaged section of casing, isolating a formation, and pressure testing the apparatus when located in a cased well bore. The method includes extending the aforementioned apparatus into the well bore, closing the first valve to close the flow through the packers, opening a second valve, and applying pressure to test the seals of the first and second packers.